ZCZC
BSS-51
UN-AWARD-LAND-MINISTRY
Land ministry gets UN Public Service Award-2020
DHAKA, June 10, 2020 (BSS) – Land Ministry won the “United Nations Public Service Award-2020” in recognition of introduction of e-mutation process in country’s land services.
Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Jabed today revealed it at a virtual press conference here.
Jabed described the award as a remarkable achievement for the country and its people under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“Digitization services in land have been possible due to the overall development of digital infrastructures in the country by the present government,” said the minister conferring all credit to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her ICT Affairs Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy for this achievement.
The UN award has been given in the category of “Development of Transparent and Accountable Government Institutions” for the implementation of e-mutation in land service across the country.
The land minister said e-mutation piloting started in 2016 as a continuation of the Digital Bangladesh master plan adopted in 2009.
Apart from three hill districts, implementation of cent percent e-mutation has been started simultaneously all over the country from July 1, 2019, he said.
“Now, our responsibility has increased after receiving the UN award and we have to take all possible measures to maintain this recognition,” the land minister added.
State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak was present at the online press conference as the special guest.
Speaking on the occasion, he said “Digital Bangladesh” is basically a “story of change”. “We are working to reach services including education, health and other key sectors at the doorstep of people ,” he added.
Palak said the work has been undertaken to provide fixed broadband connectivity to nearly 3,616 land offices.
Project director of a2i programme Dr Md. Abdul Mannan presented an illustrated report on the e-Mutation project.
Congratulating the all concerned of the project, land secretary Md. Makshudur Rahman Patwari said this is the first time in Bangladesh any ministry is awarded by the UN office for service activities.
ICT Division senior secretary N M Ziaul Alam, public administration secretary Sheikh Yusuf Harun, land reforms board chairman Md. Yaqub Ali Patwari and Dhaka divisional commissioner Md. Mostafizur Rahman, among others, also spoke.
Land appeal board chairman Begum Ummul Hasna, a2i policy adviser Anir Chowdhury, director general of land records and survey department Md. Taslimul Islam and all the divisional commissioners, among others, also joined the virtual press conference.
BSS/PR/KAK/ARS/2127 hrs